Door construction for convertible automobile-bodies.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES BEDECKER, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 ROBERT V. BOARD, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE-BODIES.

Application tiled November 25, 1916.

To all Vwhom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES Rnnnonen, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door Constructions` for Convertible Automobile- Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates in general to automobiles of the convertible body type, and more particularly has spcciai reference to a novel and practical improvement in door construction for use on bodies of the character set forth.

To this end the invention contemplates a construction. wherein a panel or sash may readily be fitted to and removed from the usual swing door when desired to either provide an incloscd or ,open body without the use of uprights or posts, which 'would .otherwise be in the way wheuihe side panels were removed. In the case of side panels'i which occupy a more or less permanent relation to the top and sides of the body, the manner of holding the same in place is a relatively simple matter. However, ditiiculty is encountered when these panels are mounted on the tops of the swinging doors, since their only point of support is usually at their lower edge, and on account of the security of connection that is required, it is often necessary to employ unsightly and unwieldy means to that` end, and further more, unless the lit is exceptionally snug or close. which is not desirable since it promotes sticking or binding, an annoying rattle is produced.

Accordingly, the present.' invention proposes a construction which will eliminate many of the objections 1nc1dent to present devices and provide a panel which may be positively, and at the same time, resiliently connected to the door, whereby it will be placed under a tension at all times when the door is closed, thus eliminating the possibility of a rattle and insuring a. neat and ac curate iit.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a practical and commercial device which is substantial, reliable and easily apuplied without the services of a skilled me-` chanic. i

lith the above and other obyects 1n view which will more fully appear as the nature Specitleation of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 11, 1918.

Serial No. 133,401.

of the invention is better understood the same consists in the novel construction,com` bination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation 0f an automobile body showing the door thereof having a sash panel fitted thereto according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fi 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. with the door closed, and the sash panel under tension.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing in a somewhat diagrammatic fashion, the door open and about to engage the door traine, with the sash panel free from ten- Sion. x

Fig. 4 is a detail side elevation partly in section, showing the relative position of parts ot' the present invention before engagement.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 4. vthe dotted lines indicating the position of the sash element when it is engaged with the top of the door.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing more clearly the spring socket of the present invention, and the prengagement position of the tongue or tenon carried by the sash.

' Fig. 2' is a detail perspective view showing the top of thc door` and a closure plug which may be inserted in the opening in the top edge of the door, to provide a more finished a pearance for the upper edge pf the door w en the sash is not carried thereby.

Similar references designate corresponding parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.

lVhile the present invention is susceptible ot application to various types and designs of side panel construction for forming convertiblc open and closed anto bodies, for the purposes ot' illustration the vehicle body shown in tluI drauings is preferably of the type having the body portion B, door D and a permanent top T. which is formed along the side thereof with a suitable recessed or rabbeted portion li which provides an abut.- mcnt-scat for receiving the upper or top frame members of thesash panels. Accordi llll ingly, in carrying the present invention into eliect, it is proposed to employ a sash panel element l of suitable design havin the frame work 2 and glass 3 and which is adapted to fit in the doorway of the automobile body above the space occupied by the Swingin door, which permits entrance to the car ody7 to provide a closure for the full length of the doorway.

As will be observed from the drawing the door D preferably comprises the opposite side frame members 7 and the top member 8, which latter is provided on its upper face with a longitudinally extending bead 9, in tended to coperate with the corresponding groove 10 in the lower edge of the bottom rail of the sash frame 2, to provide a neat and closed joint between the sash and door, while at the same time constituting a pivot or fulcrum bearing on which the entire sash may slighty after more ully appear.

With further reference to the door D it will be observed that the side frames 7 thereof each carry near their upper corners a tenon receiving and holding keeper socket 11, the mouth M of which is preferably located in relatively close proximity to the lower edge of the top frame piece 8 of the door in communication with the wide end of a flaring clearance openin 12 extending through the frame piece 8. Ifhis opening or clearance is provided at the entrance with an escutchcon' plate 13 having therein a relatively narrow longitudinally disposed entrance slot let for receiving the flat rigid tongue or tenon element 15, formed with an attaching bracket 16. These brackets are carried by each corner of the sash and prei'- erably include an angular 4securing portion 17 as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, which may be fastened by screws 18 or their e uivalent to both the horizontal and upright rame members of the sash to rigidly hold the bracket in place.

As previously stated the said tenori 15 is preferably flat and of relatively stout rigid metal, and is provided on one faoe near ,its lower extremity with a transverse holding notch 19. Further, the cross sectional dimensions of the tongue are substantially the same as the slot 14, enough play however being present to prevent binding and permit the tongue to freely enter and withdraw from the slot. Thus at this point it may be noted that because of this fit and the rockable bearing of the sash on the beading 9, the entire panel is ivotally connected or hinged to the door. Tlie entrance of the tenori 15 into the slot 14 and flared clearance 12, of course, prevents displacement of' the from the upper edge of the door but permits the same to rock on the beading 9, and this rocking or tilting of the sash is controlled by limiting the freedom of movement of the free end of rock or tilt, as will'herein-- the tongue or tenon 15, by spring tension, whereby when the door is open or away from the jainb the free end of the tongue will be automatically pushed in such a directionv that the upper edge of the sash will tilt inwardly toward the door jamb and away from the perpendicular as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the means for accomplishing this end, it will be observed that the socket element 11 previousl referred to preferably comprises an angu ar body plate 20, one flange 21 of which ma be secured to the door frame by the fastenings 22 While the other flange 23 thereof constitutes a guard and abutment for the tongue 15. The attaching flange 21 of the said plate element 20 is preferably formed at its upper edge with an offset attaching ear 24 which lies in a plane at right-angles to the flange 21, and parallel with the flange 23, and carries a stout tenon engaging and detlecting leatspring 25 by means of a bolt 26 or the like as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The body of said spring 25, thus being rigidly attached to the ear 24, occupies a position substantially parallel to the flange 20, thereby providing a tenon clearance or socket S. However, the lower end of the spring is rovided with a convex tenon-engaging hoo H the rounded side of which normally extends over into close proximity to the inner surface of the flange 23 to practically close the lower end of the socket S. Y

Thus when the tenon 15 is inserted in said Socket it will move substantially parallel to the body of the spring 25 until it comes in contact with the hook H when it will be deflected into engagement with the abutment flange 23 and the rounded portion of said hook engages the transverse notch 19. That is to say, when the tongue 15 is inserted in the socket S, the spring 25 will push the free end thereof into engagement with the guard flange 23, which flange, as will be observed from Figs. 2, 3, and 4, is located at one side of a perpendicular plane coincident with the outer edge 14'* of the slot 14. Accordingly, since` the tongue is rigidly carried by the sash, and the sash is capable of rocking or tilting on the bead, 9, the top edge thereof will be tilted or canted inwardly toward the door lamb if the door is open as shown in Fig. 3. However, when the door is closed, so that the top frame member of the panel 1 fits in the abbeted seat 5, the entire panel will be rocked on the bead 9 into a vertical position as shown in Fig. 2 against the tension of the spring 25. That is to say, in being pushed into a vertical position, by the closing of the door, the entire sash is held seated against the tension of the spring 25, as Will be observed from Fig. 2, wherein the rigid tongue 25 is shown as being out of contact with the guard flange 23, and firmly engaged with the rounded outer surface of neeaao? the convened portion of the Wiring. Theretote, since the, frame i! oi. the panel is held seated under the tension of the spring any tendency thereofl to rattle is entirely eliminated.

For the purpose of concealing the slot 14 when the panel 1 is removed to provide an open body7 there is preferably employed a closure plug 2T 'which comprises the spring retainingr arms 2S and a bead-lille head portion 25) similar in shape to the bead or molding 9 on the (op edge of the door. Fig. 7 of the drawings shows this plug in perspective above the slot l1, and it will, of course, be understood that when the plug is inserted in the slot the latter is entirely closed, and the bead portion :'29 thereof cooperates with the bead or molding 9 to forni a substantially unbroken surface.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that one of the distinctive features of the present invention is the provision of a yield able connection betwcn the sash panel and the door, which can be easily and quickly established, and at the same time eliminate all possibility of attic when the door is closed. .lijf way of forming this yieldable connection it may be noted that when the sash is put in place on the top ot' the door. each tenen element 15 carried thereby enters one of the slots 1l, which slightly at one side of the center of the escutcheon plate 13, and moves downwardly in a substantially erpendieular plane along the vertical inner ace of the spring 25 as indie-ated in Fig. i. The sash panel lV may, therefore, assume a vertical position during the greater part ot its movement toward the top of the door, but upon reaching the rounded side of the oonvexed holding hook E24, the end ol the, tenen becomes deflected against the face of the guard flange 23, as also indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4. This forcing of the free end of the tongue 15 by the spring 25 into engagement with the wall 23, which as previously stated is located at one side of the outer edge 14' of the slot, thus causes the entire sash to tilt` inwardly on the bead J and edge 14 of the slot, 14 toward the door jamb, assuming ol'l course that the door is open when the sash is applied thereto. Accordingly, it will be apparent that the sziid outer edges 14" of the slots constitute a` fixed fulcruln for thtx tenons 15 to tilt or cant to the sash. while the inner edges .14" ot the slots lie in substantially the same perpendicular plane as the inner vertical face 25 of the s irinu. 2

Gwinn-ib tlie itdatively oli-center position of the slot 1-fl with relation to the socket S, and the position ot the rounded nose of the convened holding portion 24 of the spring 25, the entire sash is given an inward tilt away from the vertical as clearly shown in Figl 8 of the drawings. lll/hen the door is closed the upper edge of the sash or frame 1 will abut with the shoulder provided by the rabbeted seat R in the top T of the antomobile body, and when the upper edge of the sash panel strikes this abutment. it will be forced outwardly against sprin tension to the position shown in Fig. 2 of t 1e drawings. All of the greatest swinging movement. or play of the sash takes place. at the upper free ond thereof, while the lower edge having the groove 10 therein rocks on the beading or molding 9. Furthermore, owing to the relatively large dimensions of tho clearance slot 12 beneath the entrance slot 14, the rocking movement of the sash on the beading 9 is not hindered, and the spring 25 in each element 11 is rclativel)v free to exert its full influence on the free end ot' the tenons 15. lVhen the sash is seated on the door and the free end of the tongue 15 is forced into frietional contact with the inner face ot the guard llange the holding of the sash in position is assisted by the engagement. of the rounded surface of the hooked portion 24 of the spring Q5 engaging with the notch 19 of the tongue, thus preventing accidental displacement. i

1Without further description, it is thought that the many features and advantages of the present invention will be readiljiV apparent, and it will be understood that various changes in the forni. proportion and minor details of construction may` be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprisingin combination, a door case and a door permanently hinged thereto, a removable and replaceable 105 Sash panel adapted to have a roekable bearing engagement with the upper edge of the door and carrying tenon elements therewith,

a socket deivice permanently carried by the door tor each tenon and having a locking 110 and detieeting spring engaging thel lower end ot' said tenen elements only when the sash is on the door to place the said tenons under tension and tilt the sash panel toward the door ease.

2. A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprising in combina4 tion, a door ease, a swinging door permanently hinged to said ease and including a frame having slots in the top member there- 120 of, yielding tenon engagin and defleeting nie-ans carried by the door rame below said slots, and a removable and replaceable panel haring tenon means at each corner for entering said slots and detaehably engaging 125 with said tenon engaging and defleeting means to tilt the door inwardly against one edge of said slots.

A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprising in combination, a fixed top having an abutment-seat, a door permanently hinged to said body and including a frame having slots in its top member, socket means including a deliecting spring carried by the side frames of the door below the up er edge thereof and in communication with said slots, and a detachable sash panel having a tenon carried byV each corner thereof for entering the slots in the frame of the door to prevent displacement and also to engage with the spring in the socket means only when the panel is placed on the door to tilt the upper edge of the panel toward the abutment-seat of the fixed u) A` anel attachment, for vehicle bodies com rising in combination, a vehicle body having a panel seat, a fulcrum bead, a sas panel separate from said bead and adapted to be engaged and disengaged therefrom by a substantially vertical movement, and means located below said bead for detachabl and yieldably engaging a portion of sai panel when the same is on the fulcrum bead to rock the same toward its seat.

5. A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprisin in combination with a swinging door inc uding a frame and a fixed top having an abutment-seat, of a removable sash panel having a groove in its lower edge, tenon elements carried by the lower corners of' the sash panel, a bead carried by -the upper edge of the door frame for fitting in said groove in the lower edge of the sash panel, the said portion of the door frame carrying-the bead having slots,

y socket elements carried by the side frame portions of the door near the upper edge thereof and communicating with said slots, said socket elements including resilient means for engaging and deliecting the free end of the said tenon elements carried by the sash panel when the latter is mounted on top of the door.

6. A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprising in combination with' a. swinging door including a frame and a fixed top having an abutment-seat, of a removable sash panel also including a frame having a. groove in its lower edge, tenon elements having a bracket portion attached to the frame o the sash panel, a bead carried b the upper face of the horizontal top mein er of the door frame, said latter member having longitudinally disposed slots therein located at one side of the center thereof, sprin socket elements carried by each of the si e frame members of the door and having their entrance ends in close roximity to said slots, said socket elements including a tenon engaging and deflecting spring having the body portion thereof substantially in alinement with the inner edge of the slot in the door frame.

`'l'. A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprising in combination with a swinging door including a frame and a fixed top having an abutment-seat, of a removable sash panel rockably mounted on the upper edge of the door, tenen elements depending from each corner of said sash anel, and socket elements carried by the side frame members of the door and having their entrance end in communication with a slot in the top frame piece of the door, said socket elements each including an abutment flange, and a tenori engaging and deflecting spring coperating to form a tenon receiving socket, said spring having the body portion thereof substantially parallel with the abutment flange, and having a curved holdin hook portion at its lower end which norma ly extends over into close proximity to the abutment flange to practically close the socket portion, said spring being adapted to engage and deflect the lower end of the tenon elements carried by the sash panel to tilt the latter toward the abutment-seat of the fixed top.

"5. A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprising in combination with a swinging oor including a frame and a fixed top having an abutment seat of a removable sash panel rorkably mounted on the upper edge of the door, tenon elements depending from eachcorner of said sash panel, and socket elements carried by the side frame members of the door and having their entrance end in communication with a slot in the top frame pieces of the door, said socket elements each consisting of an angular body portion having an attaching flange and a riglit-angularly disposed abutment flange, and a supporting ear formed from said attaching flange and spaced from the abutment flange, a tenon engaging and deflecting spring carried by said ear and having the body portion thereof substantially parallel with the inner face of the abutment flange to provide a socket portion, and having a rounded hook portion at its lower end which extends info close proximity to the inner surface of the abutment flange to substantially close the socket to thereby engage and deflect the free end of the tenon element carried by the sash panel to tilt the latter toward the abutment-seat of the fixed top. t

9. A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprising in combination with a swinging door including a fianie and a fixed top having an abutment-seat, of a removable sash panel rockably mounted on the upper edge of the door, tenon elements rigidly carried by each corner of the sash panel and depending therefrom, socket elements carried by the side frame members of the door having their entrance end in communication with the wide end of a fiared clearance opening in the top frame piece of the door, an escutcheon plate for said o ening having a, slotarranged at one side o the vertical axis of tllle socket element, a tnon a in and de ecting s rin carrie by llilgsckgt element and having t 1e body portion thereof lying in a plane substantially coincident with the inner edge of the slot in the escutcb, In plate, and having a curved holdin en an abutment flange extending throng outthe length of the socket element `@wint-ranged substantially parallel with the of the spring to form a tenon receiving Soc et, said spring delecting and clamping the lower end of the tenon element carried b the sash panel: between itself and said abutment flange.

10. A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprising the combinetion with a door frame and a swinging door, of a removable sash panel rockably mounted on the upper edge of the door, tenon elements carried by said sash panel, escutcheon plates carried by.the door for receiving Said fenon elements, and spring means carried by engaging with said the door below said escutcheon plate for def fleeting and holding te'non elements, said spring means 1n deflecting the tenon elements utilizing one edge of the Slot in the escntcheon plate as a fnlcrum.

11. A door construction for convertible automobile bodies comprising the combination with a door frame of a swinging door including a frame having slots in the top member thereof, an `opstanding bead also on the latter, yielding tenon clamping and deflecting means carried by the door below said slots, a sash panel having a groove for rockably receiving said bead and tenons carried by said panel for entering said slots, and yielding tenon clamping and deecting means.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. CHARLES REDECKER. Witnesses:

R. V. BOARD, MAT HAIR. 

